179 research outputs found
the role of local governments and citizens
Climate protection activities at the local level play an important role
towards responding effectively to global climate change. The research at hand
deals with the subjectively nominated success factors and barriers relevant to
the implementation of climate protection measures in local municipalities.
Determinants for the transition towards energy sustainable communities
(Schweizer- Ries, 2008) are the subject-matter of a longer research tradition
(Schweizer-Ries, 2009). In order to work out recommendations for a German
federal policy instrument designed to support municipalities towards climate
protection, we chose to concentrate on municipalities having applied for the
above mentioned funding. Some of these municipalities also plan to realise a
process towards âzero-emissionâ as a long-term project. With qualitative
interviews, we assessed in a first research step, how local stakeholders
perceive the climate protection measures inside their municipalities, how they
were successfully implemented, where social barriers appeared and how they
could be minimised. Thus, we were able to collect subjective determinants of
success or failure for zeroemission processes. We also examine the role of the
citizens, and make the case for increased public participation. The main
insights of these first results are that within the administration of local
municipalities, cross-sectional interaction and communication are crucial,
along with the need to engage a socially skilled permanent employee to manage
the implementation of measures and activate external stakeholders. Involving
citizens is pivotal in shaping a zero-emission community identity and reality.
The research is designed to shed some light on the role the above mentioned
financial support programme and therefore serves as policy counselling. The
policy instrument seems to be able to promote most factors of success within
local authorities, only minor adaptations are necessary
Acute renal proximal tubule alterations during induced metabolic crises in a mouse model of glutaric aciduria type 1
AbstractThe metabolic disorder glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is caused by deficiency of the mitochondrial glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH), leading to accumulation of the pathologic metabolites glutaric acid (GA) and 3-hydroxyglutaric acid (3OHGA) in blood, urine and tissues. Affected patients are prone to metabolic crises developing during catabolic conditions, with an irreversible destruction of striatal neurons and a subsequent dystonicâdyskinetic movement disorder. The pathogenetic mechanisms mediated by GA and 3OHGA have not been fully characterized. Recently, we have shown that GA and 3OHGA are translocated through membranes via sodium-dependent dicarboxylate cotransporter (NaC) 3, and organic anion transporters (OATs) 1 and 4. Here, we show that induced metabolic crises in Gcdhâ/â mice lead to an altered renal expression pattern of NaC3 and OATs, and the subsequent intracellular GA and 3OHGA accumulation. Furthermore, OAT1 transporters are mislocalized to the apical membrane during metabolic crises accompanied by a pronounced thinning of proximal tubule brush border membranes. Moreover, mitochondrial swelling and increased excretion of low molecular weight proteins indicate functional tubulopathy. As the data clearly demonstrate renal proximal tubule alterations in this GA1 mouse model during induced metabolic crises, we propose careful evaluation of renal function in GA1 patients, particularly during acute crises. Further studies are needed to investigate if these findings can be confirmed in humans, especially in the long-term outcome of affected patients
Active recovery of the finger flexors enhances intermittent handgrip performance in rock climbers
This study aimed to (1) evaluate the effect of hand shaking during recovery phases of intermittent testing on the timeâforce characteristics of performance and muscle oxygenation, and (2) assess inter-individual variability in the time to achieve the target force during intermittent testing in rock climbers. Twenty-two participants undertook three finger flexor endurance tests at 60% of their maximal voluntary contraction until failure. Performances of a sustained contraction and two intermittent contractions, each with different recovery strategies, were analysed by timeâforce parameters and near-infrared spectroscopy. Recovery with shaking of the forearm beside the body led to a significantly greater intermittent test time (â 22%, Pâ<â.05), forceâtime integral (â 28%, Pâ<â.05) and faster muscle re-oxygenation (â 32%, Pâ<â.05), when compared to the hand over hold condition. Further, the ratio of intermittent to continuous test time distinguished specific aerobic muscular adaptations among sport climbers (2.02), boulderers (1.74) and lower grade climbers (1.25). Lower grade climbers and boulderers produced shorter duration contractions due to the slower development of target force during the intermittent test, indicating worse kinaesthetic differentiation. Both the type of recovery and climbing discipline determined muscle re-oxygenation and intermittent performance in rock climbers
Zeit fĂŒr sich selbst : MuĂe, Langeweile und die Nutzung digitaler Medien im Alltag ; Zwei Forschungsberichte
Die erste Studie ("Langweilen wir uns noch? Nutzung von digitalen Medien zur unbewussten PrÀvention von Langeweile") beschÀftigt sich mit der Nutzung digitaler Medien als PrÀvention von
Langeweile. Dabei wird hinterfragt, ob die Mediennutzung die Langeweile tatsÀchlich verhindern kann oder ob dieser Erfolg ausbleibt. ZunÀchst wird ermittelt, auf welche Weise
mit Langeweile umgegangen wird. Darauf aufbauend werden Motive herausgearbeitet, die hinter der digitalen Mediennutzung stehen. Aus dieser Kombination von Mediennutzung und Langeweile leitet sich die Frage nach der bewussten oder unbewussten prÀemptiven Nutzung von Medien zur Vermeidung von Langweile ab. Zur Beantwortung der
Forschungsfragen dient eine qualitativ durchgefĂŒhrte Gruppendiskussion. -
Die zweite Studie ("Langeweile oder MuĂe: GrĂŒnde der Selbstdarstellung in den sozialen Medien") thematisiert potentielle GrĂŒnde der Selbstdarstellung in den sozialen Medien vor dem Hintergrund der modernen digitalen Gesellschaft. Dabei werden vorranging die Konstrukte der MuĂe und der Langeweile sowie deren ZusammenhĂ€nge als GrĂŒnde fĂŒr das Posting selbstdarstellerischer Inhalte in Social Media theoretisch betrachtet und methodisch analysiert. Im Rahmen der Forschungsarbeit wird dabei Instagram als beispielhaftes Medium zum Gegenstandsbereich der Untersuchung gewĂ€hlt. Zur Beantwortung der Forschungsfrage wird die Methode der narrativen Medienforschung angewandt.
Basierend auf den Erkenntnissen von fĂŒnf qualitativ und narrativ durchgefĂŒhrten Tiefeninterviews erfolgt mittels einer Inhaltsanalyse eine deduktive sowie induktive Kategorienbildung, die potentielle GrĂŒnde der Selbstdarstellung aufzeigt
Process sequence of soil aggregate formation disentangled through multi-isotope labelling
Microaggregates (250 ”m) that resisted 60 J mLâ1 ultrasonic dispersion. Afterwards, we assessed the C, N, Fe, and Si stable isotope composition in each size fraction. After four weeks we found a rapid build-up of stable macroaggregates comprising almost 50 % of soil mass in the treatment with plants and respective soil rooting, but only 5 % when plants were absent. The formation of these stable macroaggregates proceeded with time. Soil organic carbon (SOC) contents were elevated by 15 % in the large macroaggregates induced by plant growth. However, the recovery of EPS-derived 13C was below 20 % after 4 weeks, indicating rapid turnover in treatments both with and without plants. The remaining EPS-derived C was mainly found in macroaggregates when plants were present and in the occluded small microaggregates (<20 ”m) when plants were absent. The excess of bacterial 15N closely followed the pattern of EPS-derived 13C (R2 = 0.72). In contrast to the organic gluing agents, the goethite-57Fe and montmorillonite-29Si were relatively equally distributed across all size fractions. Overall, microaggregates were formed within weeks. Roots enforced this process by stabilizing microaggregates within stable macroaggregates. As time proceeded the labelled organic components decomposed, while the labelled secondary oxides and clay minerals increasingly contributed to aggregate stabilization and turnover at the scale of months and beyond. Consequently, the well-known hierarchical organization of aggregation follows a clear chronological sequence of stabilization and turnover processes
Modernizing persistenceâbioaccumulationâtoxicity (PBT) assessment with high throughput animal-free methods
The assessment of persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B), and toxicity (T) of a chemical is a crucial first step at ensuring chemical safety and is a cornerstone of the European Unionâs chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals). Existing methods for PBT assessment are overly complex and cumbersome, have produced incorrect conclusions, and rely heavily on animal-intensive testing. We explore how new-approach methodologies (NAMs) can overcome the limitations of current PBT assessment. We propose two innovative hazard indicators, termed cumulative toxicity equivalents (CTE) and persistent toxicity equivalents (PTE). Together they are intended to replace existing PBT indicators and can also accommodate the emerging concept of PMT (where M stands for mobility). The proposed âtoxicity equivalentsâ can be measured with high throughput in vitro bioassays. CTE refers to the toxic effects measured directly in any given sample, including single chemicals, substitution products, or mixtures. PTE is the equivalent measure of cumulative toxicity equivalents measured after simulated environmental degradation of the sample. With an appropriate panel of animal-free or alternative in vitro bioassays, CTE and PTE comprise key environmental and human health hazard indicators. CTE and PTE do not require analytical identification of transformation products and mixture components but instead prompt two key questions: is the chemical or mixture toxic, and is this toxicity persistent or can it be attenuated by environmental degradation? Taken together, the proposed hazard indicators CTE and PTE have the potential to integrate P, B/M and T assessment into one high-throughput experimental workflow that sidesteps the need for analytical measurements and will support the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability of the European Union
Modernizing persistenceâbioaccumulationâtoxicity (PBT) assessment with high throughput animal-free methods
The assessment of persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B), and toxicity (T) of a chemical is a crucial first step at ensuring chemical safety and is a cornerstone of the European Unionâs chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals). Existing methods for PBT assessment are overly complex and cumbersome, have produced incorrect conclusions, and rely heavily on animal-intensive testing. We explore how new-approach methodologies (NAMs) can overcome the limitations of current PBT assessment. We propose two innovative hazard indicators, termed cumulative toxicity equivalents (CTE) and persistent toxicity equivalents (PTE). Together they are intended to replace existing PBT indicators and can also accommodate the emerging concept of PMT (where M stands for mobility). The proposed âtoxicity equivalentsâ can be measured with high throughput in vitro bioassays. CTE refers to the toxic effects measured directly in any given sample, including single chemicals, substitution products, or mixtures. PTE is the equivalent measure of cumulative toxicity equivalents measured after simulated environmental degradation of the sample. With an appropriate panel of animal-free or alternative in vitro bioassays, CTE and PTE comprise key environmental and human health hazard indicators. CTE and PTE do not require analytical identification of transformation products and mixture components but instead prompt two key questions: is the chemical or mixture toxic, and is this toxicity persistent or can it be attenuated by environmental degradation? Taken together, the proposed hazard indicators CTE and PTE have the potential to integrate P, B/M and T assessment into one high-throughput experimental workflow that sidesteps the need for analytical measurements and will support the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability of the European Union.ISSN:0340-5761ISSN:1432-073
Architecture of soil microaggregates: Advanced methodologies to explore properties and functions
The functions of soils are intimately linked to their three-dimensional pore space and the associated biogeochemical interfaces, mirrored in the complex structure that developed during pedogenesis. Under stress overload, soil disintegrates into smaller compound structures, conventionally named aggregates. Microaggregates (<250 ”m) are recognized as the most stable soil structural units. They are built of mineral, organic, and biotic materials, provide habitats for a vast diversity of microorganisms, and are closely involved in the cycling of matter and energy. However, exploring the architecture of soil microaggregates and their linkage to soil functions remains a challenging but demanding scientific endeavor. With the advent of complementary spectromicroscopic and tomographic techniques, we can now assess and visualize the size, composition, and porosity of microaggregates and the spatial arrangement of their interior building units. Their combinations with advanced experimental pedology, multi-isotope labeling experiments, and computational approaches pave the way to investigate microaggregate turnover and stability, explore their role in element cycling, and unravel the intricate linkage between structure and function. However, spectromicroscopic techniques operate at different scales and resolutions, and have specific requirements for sample preparation and microaggregate isolation; hence, special attention must be paid to both the separation of microaggregates in a reproducible manner and the synopsis of the geography of information that originates from the diverse complementary instrumental techniques. The latter calls for further development of strategies for synlocation and synscaling beyond the present state of correlative analysis. Here, we present examples of recent scientific progress and review both options and challenges of the joint application of cutting-edge techniques to achieve a sophisticated picture of the properties and functions of soil microaggregates
- âŠ